Page:Mother Bunch's closet newly broke open (1).pdf/9

Rh one means or other; but for all there be so many bad days in this month I can tell you of one day which is lucky, and many young men and maids have a deal of heart's ease on that day, or the day after, as I shall let you understand; it is the 21st, called St. Agnes' day. This St. Agnes has a great favour for young men and maids, and will bring to their bedsides their sweethearts, if they follow my rules: Upon this day you must be sure to keep a fast. and neither eat nor drink all that day, nor at night; neither let man, woman, nor child, kiss thee on that day; and thou must be sure, when thou goest to bed, to put on a clean shift, and the best thou hast, and clean clothes on thy head, for St. Agnes loves to see all clean when she comes; when thou liest down, lie as straight as thou canst, and lay thy hands under thy head, and say,

Now, St. Agnes, play thy part, And send to me my own sweetheart; And shew me such a happy bliss, This night of him to have a kiss.

And be sure fall asleep as soon as you can, and before you awake out of your first sleep, you shall see him come before you, and shall perceive by his habit what tradesman he is; and be sure thou declare not thy dream unto any one in ten days, and by that time thou mayest see thy dream come to pass. All this I have proved three times; for I have had three husbands, and they all proved tradesmen; the first was a straw joiner, the second a louse-trap maker, and the third a gentle craft, and he came to me with his awl in his hand, and would needs prick.me, ay, and did prick, but did not hurt me, and so I waked out of my dream, and was never the worse; but I thought the time long till he came again, as all maids do that desire to be married. I know some maids